Belgium and France draw a blank

Belgium and France played out a goalless draw in front of a sell-out crowd in Brussels.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots opted for an attacking lineup, with Romelu Lukaku deployed as a central striker supported by Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne on the flanks. However, his side failed to take their opportunities in the second half, while France came closest to a winner through Franck Ribéry and Olivier Giroud.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, with both defences coming out on top. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to be at his best to deny Ribéry and De Bruyne almost surprised France No1 Hugo Lloris but it remained goalless at the break. The Red Devils upped the tempo in the second half and carried more of a goal threat.

De Bruyne and Axel Witsel went close before Lukaku was just short of latching on to De Bruyne's centre following a neat back-heel from Nacer Chadli. De Bruyne then laid on another chance only for Kevin Mirallas to fire over when well placed. Les Bleus almost made them pay shortly before the end but Giroud failed to find the target from close range.